Glencolumbkille, or Gleann Cholm Cille in Irish, is named after Saint
Columba, or Colmcille who came from Iona , who is
said to have lived in the area with his followers in the 6th century.
Glencolumbkille is quite cut off from other towns and villages in the
area because of the bleak surrounding landscape, because of this the
village was always quite poor. In 1950 Father James McDyer was
appointed parish priest. He set up a machine knitting business and
a
vegetable processing plant. Before his arrival the glen didn't
even have electricity and a lot of people emmigrated to get away
from their poor surroundings. These enterprises were successful
and in 1967 he opened the Folk Village Museum. These cottages
all
of traditional design gave an idea of country life from various periods.
The 1720 cottage for instance has an earth floor and open fire with
no chimney.
Now the village is a thriving tourist spot and has a cafe which produces
traditional Irish teas and meals, and a shop selling all kinds of
traditional
crafts and produce, including wine made of fushias, marmalades and jams,
and knitted items.
Father James MacDyer is now sadly dead but his memory lives on in the village
which he loved so much.
Coast,
Glencolumbkille |
